How to Insult Everyone and Get Away with It: Opening Night Review of THE PRODUCERS at the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn

By JONATHAN SYM

October 6, 2016 at 12:20 PM

By JONATHAN SYM

October 6, 2016 at 12:20 PM

MILLBURN, NJ – What do you get when you to put together dancing Nazi Storm Troopers, a gay director and a greedy Jewish theater producer from the Bronx? Add to that an oversexed immigrant secretary from Sweden, a “Black Irish” cop and the Village People. No, it’s not an acid-laced Halloween party in bizarro world or a combined campaign rally of Trump and Clinton supporters. It’s opening night of The Producers at the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, NJ.

The ingeniously clever, Tony Award-winning musical that insults, without really insulting, had its opening performance last night at the Paper Mill Playhouse followed by a cast party at Charlie Brown’s Fresh Grill in downtown Millburn. The deliberately raucous and raunchy musical was refreshing to watch and thoroughly entertaining, particularly since so much social commentary these days have gone over to the dark side of politically correctness. The no holds barred script and the ever so talented cast poked fun at practically everyone and every institution, even the Paper Mill (you’ll have to see for yourself).

Those who have seen the musical that opened on Broadway in 2001 with Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick or the 1968 satirical comedy film starring Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder won’t be disappointed as the essence of Mel Brooks’ manic imagination and genius remained wonderfully in tact. The show also retained Paper Mill veteran Susan Stroman’s fantastic original direction and choreography, where she won two of the record-breaking 12 Tonys won by the musical in 2001.

This Broadway classic tells the tale of Max Bialystock (Michael Kostroff), a struggling theater producer and his protégé/accountant Leo Bloom (David Josefsberg) as they raise $2 million from old, sex starved ladies, to produce the worst musical ever to be seen on Broadway, with the hope of failing so miserably that they could walk away with the oversubscribed investments of the show’s backers.

The two manage to secure the exclusive rights to the worst script they could find written by former Nazi Franz Liebkind (John Treacy Egan) and convince the flamboyantly gay and worst director to have ever lived Roger De Bris (Kevin Pariseau) to direct. With script in hand and help from Roger De Bris’s “common law assistant” Carmen Ghia (Mark Price) and Max’s secretary Ulla (Ashley Spencer), the motely crew are well on their way to produce the greatest fiasco on Broadway. Unfortunately, their ridiculous and offensive musical, Springtime for Hitler, becomes a hit!

It seems nearly every scene is filled with song and dance. Under the brilliant direction of Don Stephenson and amazing choreography of Bill Burns, the multi-talented cast pulls off every number with seamless effort and as if they’ve been doing it for years. In fact, Michael Kostroff has done The Producers for years and several times, seven times to be exact. He brings incredible energy to the role of Max. The most amazing evidence of this, if I had to pick just one scene, is when he lands in prison and recants to himself his journey there. Evoking the same emotions from previous scenes Kostroff performs a trailer of sorts, combining lines from many earlier scenes into one. Kostroff treated us to a Tony Award-winning performance.

David Josefsberg is new to The Producers, performing the role of Leo Bloom for the first time, though you wouldn’t know it. The Broadway and Paper Mill veteran made Leo an empathetic, quirky and funny character, someone we can all connect with emotionally. Can’t get his “I want to be a producer” song out of my head. By the way, Josefsberg is a local boy too. He lives in South Orange!

Ashley Spencer certainly has “got it” and “flaunts it” with a loveable style and undeniable charm. Playing Ulla Inga Hansen Benson Yansen Tallen Hallen Svaden Swanson (and that’s just the first name), you couldn’t keep your eyes off her when this formally trained ballet dancer took to the stage.

The crazy, Nazi screenwriter Franz Liebkind who wrote “Springtime for Hitler” is played by John Treacy Egan, a five-year veteran of the Broadway company and who has played several parts in past productions including Franz, Max and Roger. Incredible voice and convincingly funny, especially when he’s on crutches and has a Lugar in his hand.

By far the most hilarious and witty pair to take the stage is Kevin Pariseau and Mark Price playing the roles of Roger De Bris and Carmen Ghia, respectively. The one-liners and comebacks kept the entire audience in stitches; I haven’t laughed that hard at a show in years. Pariseau’s costume resembling the Chrysler Building showing his off his hairy, unshaved legs; Price’s unforgettable hand gesture when going off stage and his unique gait were priceless.

Obvious credit for the popularity of The Producers goes certainly to its creator and comedic legend Mel Brooks. However, what made the experience at the Paper Mill so especially wonderful and set it apart from every production of The Producers I’ve seen is the unique collaboration of new and veteran actors of the show, and even some from the original company. This was Paper Mill’s first-ever production of The Producers and they’ve certainly put their personal touch on this Broadway classic. It truly is a CAN’T MISS show. BRAVO!

ROSELLE, NJ - People and pups alike gathered at Warinanco Sports Center this past Saturday for the first-ever Warinanco Pet Parade, where canine talent from across Union County competed in multiple contests and enjoyed the admiration of dozens of dog lovers.

From “Waggiest Walk” to “Prettiest Puppy” and “Smallest Dog,” owners and their furry companions were given a chance to show off their ...

ROSELLE, NJ - People and pups alike gathered at Warinanco Sports Center this past Saturday for the ...

UNION COUNTY, NJ – An Indianapolis man traveling through Union County by way of Pennsylvania was arrested in the parking lot of a store on Route 22 in Union after an investigation led to a search of the vehicle, resulting in the seizure of two kilograms of heroin late last week, according to the Union County Prosecutor’s Office.

Noel Ramiro Hernandez of Indianapolis, Indiana is charged with ...

UNION COUNTY, NJ – An Indianapolis man traveling through Union County by way of Pennsylvania was ...

NEW JERSEY - The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for Northern New Jersey through Tuesday August 7.

A Heat Advisory is issued when the combination of heat and humidity is expected to make it feel like it is 95 to 99 degrees for two or more consecutive days, or 100 to 104 degrees for any length of time.

To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health ...

NEW JERSEY - The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for Northern New Jersey through ...

TRENTON, NJ— Some county college students around the state could attend classes in 2019 for free thanks to a pilot program launched by Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration yesterday.

The program, the Community College Innovation Challenge, is the first phase of the governor’s initiative to provide two years of community college free for students across the state. It was officially launched ...

TRENTON, NJ— Some county college students around the state could attend classes in 2019 for free ...

CLARK, NJ - The local reservoir has been a source of beauty to many and a cause of heartache to others throughout the town’s history. The wildlife, the views, the debris, the flooding, they are all part of the ups and downs of life along a waterway.

Mayor Bonaccorso hopes to bring more joy and less hardship from the reservoir to residents of Clark. At a recent council meeting Bonaccorso ...

CLARK, NJ - The local reservoir has been a source of beauty to many and a cause of heartache to ...

NEWARK, NJ - For a panel of lawmakers and advocates at the Abyssinian Baptist Church, it wasn't a matter of if a marijuana market boom was coming to New Jersey. It was just a matter of when.

For Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, it was pivotal that people in his community, who he said have been victimized by drug laws, get to profit from that industry. He was part of an eight-member panel yesterday ...

NEWARK, NJ - For a panel of lawmakers and advocates at the Abyssinian Baptist Church, it wasn't a ...

CRANFORD, NJ - Daniel Serna is a Cranford High School student running his fifth annual school supply drive to benefit children whose families are served by Homefirst in Plainfield. Area residents can drop off new school supplies in the donation box at the Cranford Community Center at 220 Walnut Avenue through August 15th.

UNION COUNTY, NJ - A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued by the National Weather Service for the Union County area until 10 p.m. Friday evening. Along with that storm and Flash Flood warning has also been issued until 6 p.m.

The Weather Service reports that winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail are possible with this storm.

“Torrential rainfall can occur with this storm, and ...

UNION COUNTY, NJ - A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued by the National Weather Service for ...

ELIZABETH, NJ - The Healthcare Foundation of NJ honored Dr. John D'Angelo, DO, and Chairman of Emergency Medicine at Trinitas Regional Medical Center at the annual Lester Z. Lieberman Humanism in Healthcare Awards event at the Crystal Plaza in Livingston on July 16.

Dr. D'Angelo, a Westfield resident, was given the Lester Z. Lieberman Leadership Award for Humanism in Healthcare in recognition ...

BRIDGEWATER, NJ – Sparky Lyle is inviting volunteers to join him at TD Bank Ballpark Saturday morning to help Operation Shoebox New Jersey assemble 1,000 personal care packages that will be shipped to US troops deployed around the world.

Lyle, Manager Emeritus of the Somerset Patriots, is a fixture at the ballpark and attends the annual packing event sponsored by Operation Shoebox New Jersey ...